Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his best wishes for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, to Iran’s leaders and its people, assuring them of Moscow’s support as they fight the Middle East war, AFP reports.

“Nowruz greetings were… sent to the Iranian leaders: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

“Vladimir Putin wished the Iranian people strength on overcoming these severe trials and emphasised that during this difficult time, Moscow remained a loyal friend and reliable partner of Tehran.”

Russia has not officially offered assistance to Iran since the start of the war, besides sending humanitarian aid.